"Our mission is to document the Wendish/Sorbian experience through research, information exchange, collaboration, and the promotion of related projects." - Mission Statement, The Wendish Research Exchange

The New York Times recently published an article featuring the Texas Wendish Heritage Society. This article, written by Corrie MacLaggan for The Texas Tribune, is entitled The Joys of Being Wendish, Festival and All. Several festival attendees are interviewed, including Evelyn Buchhorn, Russell Schwausch, Dwight Nitsche, George Nielsen, Charles Wukasch, Weldon Mersiovsky, and David Goeke. This appeared in the 10/11/13 edition of The New York Times.

Recently added to our site is a section for scrapbooks. A scrapbook is a collection which may document births, deaths, marriages, community events, and other interesting happenings for a given area. The first scrapbook added covers events in the Vernon, Texas area. Click the link here.

Be sure to view Our Talented Wends. Recent Wends added to this area are Bill Biar and Rev. Dr. Elmer Hohle. Just cursor over Hot Topics/Projects in our menu above, then cursor over Our Talented Wends and choose a Talented Wend to learn more.

The Texas Wendish Heritage Society was recently added to Kelly Truesdell's "List". Or specifically, her "Crush List". Is this a good list (like Santa's)? Is it a bad list?

Added in March of 2014 is a scrapbook of thousands of Lee County, Texas obituaries. This work in progress currently spans obituaries for surnames from "A" through "Z". Additions will be made in each section as more are acquired! Also includes some death certificates. Find the scrapbooks section in the main menu above under "History".

More information recently presented at WendishResearch.org regarding the Wend's struggles in Ireland
is presented here. Newspaper and journal accounts, an article by Kathe Richards discussing cholera and its effects, as well as maps and photos of the cemetery where the deceased were interred. Don't miss it!

The former border between East and West Germany is older and more complicated than you think. Be sure to read this article from the New York Times - link provided by Bill Schkade!

The Texas Country Reporter produced an excellent video segment for their show when visiting Wendish Festival the 4th Sunday in September of 2014. Join TCR host Bob Phillips as he meets with Hattie Schautschick to learn about Wendish noodle making. Hattie, and Jack Wiederhold, also provide a glimpse into the reasons for Serbin being Serbin. A stroll into the St. Paul cemetery. The history of families leaving everything they had in Prussia behind for an opportunity to escape religious and economic oppression. The celebration that is Wendish Festival. View the video here. We thank the Texas Country Reporter, and encourage you to also visit their website.

Do You Know Who This Is?
Place your cursor over photo to identify!
Click photo to learn even more!

From Berlin, Jochen Exler-König provides a video documentary project entitled "Jacza of Köpenick. A Slavic Duke of the 12th Century, poised between the Holy Roman Empire and Poland. His Life. His Legend. His Legacy." Read more here.

Have you read the article by George Nielsen, published in the October issue of the TWHS newsletter?Entitled "Death On The Irish Sea," Dr. Nielsen chronicles the obstacles facing the Wends as they departed Liverpool on the Ben Nevis, battling an infamous breakout of cholera.

If you haven't read Dr. Nielsen's article, then may we recommend you become a member of the TWHS and receive a mailed copy of each newsletter going forward. Dr. Nielsen is a regular contributor to the newsletter.

Introduction to our menu above:

History: Contains links to several excellent web sites and works which provide background information regarding who the Wends are. Some are summaries, while others go into great detail on various historical topics. Feel free to email us to suggest other links. We intend to mainly use links in this section, to not "reinvent the wheel" as they say. Our focus is described in our mission statement.

Hot Projects/Topics: Featured Projects and Topics. May include "opportunities" for those who would like to assist. Be sure to visit this area!

TWHS: The Texas Wendish Heritage Society. The Wendish Research Exchange is an organization within the TWHS. Includes a physical museum, library, and gift shop. Visit this link to learn more.

Genealogy: Interactive web application, with future additions planned. Be sure to not only visit, but participate. You may view some of the data, but the best functionality is reserved for TWHS members. So sign-up! It may take several days to provide fully registered accounts. Please be patient - it is worth the wait!

Forum: A collaborative area for gathering and sharing data and input. Also for publicly defining projects and organizing resources. Discussions of Wendish families, history, and other research topics. Ask and answer questions here.

Wend Blogs: Typically structured as one person or group writing articles, with public responses and discussion welcomed. There will be multiple Wend Blogs.

Are you a TWRE volunteer and have signed-up to add "static" content to this web site? Please base your pages on the site template. Right-click and save to your computer, modify with your content, then upload to your secured TWRE area.

By: Dan Carter
The Delaplain Tracts

Mr. Terry Smith's attention to detail, and his efforts to create this informational overlay which contains a plethora of facts, makes the De La Plain Tracts come to life! This file and its content are copyright 2011 by The Texas Wendish Heritage Society, and may not be used for commercial purposes or for personal gain.

If you have Google Earth already loaded on your computer, click this link to either run or save the file required to view the tracts. Click on the tracts for further data.

As you visit the various areas, please enjoy the opportunity to learn more about the information presented, and be sure to join-in on the conversations and contribute your expertise! There is much interesting information here. Your participation will enhance and expand existing information, and add to this sharable resource known as the Wendish Research Exchange.

Welcome to the grand opening of what will be a perpetual work in progress, with your participation welcomed and appreciated! As you explore Wendishresearch.org, think of it as a meeting place of researchers who are invited to share and obtain information regarding their heritage and history. A framework to guide you in your research goals, whether they be genealogical, historical, events, or any other pursuit of knowledge.

Our heartfelt thanks go to all who have made this effort possible. Key supporters and contributors to date include:

Richard Gruetzner

Tonya Zoch-Hettler

Weldon & Jean Mersiovsky

Dr. George Nielsen

Kathe Richards

Bill and Steffi Biar

Dan & Suzanna Carter

Rev. Dr. Elmer Hohle

Bob & Pat Proft

Dave Goeke

Bill Schkade

Russell Schwausch

John & Margaret White

Sylvia Chase-Meadows

Steve Weise

Marlene Magness

... and an ever growing list of other volunteers who are about to become involved in many aspects of recording and documenting the history of the Wends. All are welcome to join the Wendish Research Exchange, regardless of your place of residence. Telling the stories of the Wends, for use by current and future individuals who have and shall have an interest, is something that many of us can do... worldwide. Thank you for visiting with us today. Enjoy!

Volunteers!

We continue developing this web site and its content, and invite you to join us! There are several opportunities available to assist in contributing your interests and skills. There is no need to be a web expert to participate.